Chapter Six: Playing the Rogue

Jiang Taichu returned to his room to cultivate.

The others, meanwhile, worked overtime searching his area. Tang Yu and Zhang Jing both went, convinced that good things shouldn't fall into others' hands. If they found anything, they promised to give Jiang Taichu half.

Though Jiang Taichu couldn't help minding, there was nothing he could do to stop them. Even if he refused, these people would still hunt for treasures in his assigned sector. After all, Earth Star No. 10 belonged to the Earth Corporation—he was just an employee. The company didn't care where you searched; whoever found treasures was a good worker in their eyes.

After refining his pills, he continued his mecha training. His sense for firearms improved, his ability to slow down bullets also grew. Now, as long as he was more than six meters away, he could dodge bullets. When shells arrived, as long as he fled the moment they entered a twenty-meter range, he could escape unscathed.

With his mecha's advancement, his own defense and energy also increased. However, after reaching twenty percent, his progress slowed, and he could only improve by half a percent each day.

The next morning, Jiang Taichu rose to work. Tang Yu and Zhang Jing had just returned from outside, eating breakfast.

"Any luck?" Jiang Taichu asked.

"None," Tang Yu shook her head. "Your area is swarming with people now, and still no results. I think you might as well take a day off."

"We're not as lucky as you," Zhang Jing added. "You could skip our explored zones and head to the next rest point."

"Well, I should thank them then," Jiang Taichu laughed, considering this as them doing his job for him. "Aren't they coming back for breakfast?"

"Not coming. They still have their own work," Tang Yu replied. "Once we finish eating, we have to get back to work too."

"When I get the chance, I'll check your area. If I find anything, don't forget my share," Jiang Taichu said with a smile.

"That would be great. Why not go now? Your area has been combed through anyway," Tang Yu suggested.

Jiang Taichu thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright."

After finishing his meal, he went straight out. Arriving at Tang Yu and Zhang Jing's work area, he activated his mountain-viewing skill to inspect the peaks.

He surveyed mountain after mountain, returned for lunch at noon, and continued exploring in the afternoon.

No finds. Jiang Taichu wasn't surprised; if treasure could be found so easily, it would be a miracle.

Before dusk, he also checked his own sector. Confirming that nothing was left nearby, he went back for dinner.

That night, he continued refining pills. The others were still searching his area, and their enthusiasm wouldn't wane in just a few days.

Life returned to tranquility. Ten days passed; he'd finished refining his pills.

His work sector finally quieted down; no one came anymore.

They had their own sectors to tend. Even those made of iron couldn't go on endlessly without rest.

Jiang Taichu would also wander other sectors, but unfortunately found nothing—these were all places others had already searched.

His own area was far ahead of the others, leaving him plenty of time to wander.

Yang Xuanzhi, their supervisor, had become relaxed with him because of the two treasures he'd found in a row, even allowing him to sleep in, come late, or leave early.

Leisurely he roamed, inspecting peak after peak until evening, when thick, intertwining earth veins flowed and converged.

A bright golden light, almost blinding, shone upon a boulder the size of a human head.

Gengjin ore!

Another one the size of a human head!

"Unbelievable luck," Jiang Taichu thought. "No wonder Lu Fang never gets rich."

He glanced at the spot; this was an area Lu Fang had searched a few days ago. Presumably, because he had to search Jiang Taichu's area, he'd fallen behind in his own progress and, rushing to catch up, had skipped some peaks—allowing Jiang Taichu to reap the benefit.

Of course, they couldn't possibly drill into every single mountain peak on this planet. Though the schedule wasn't tight, it was still impossible to search every mountain.

Securing the Gengjin ore, Jiang Taichu immediately heard Yang Xuanzhi's voice, "Jiang Taichu, I know it's you!"

"Another Gengjin ore, much like last time," Jiang Taichu replied. "I'll return right away."

"I'll be there soon," Yang Xuanzhi said excitedly, his laughter brimming with joy. "You're truly my lucky star!"

Jiang Taichu smiled and headed back to the rest point.

He had just arrived when Yang Xuanzhi showed up as well.

Seeing the two arrive together, everyone couldn't help but stand up. "You didn't find more resources, did you?"

"Even the Empress Wa's blessing can't deliver luck like this."

"You must be Empress Wa's own child!"

The room filled with envy and jealousy, all eyes glued to Jiang Taichu's backpack.

They watched as Yang Xuanzhi pulled out the head-sized Gengjin ore, and everyone gasped.

"This one month's haul is worth a year's wages."

"You don't spend money? This is more than I save in a whole year!"

Their feelings were complex; everyone wished they'd found such a treasure themselves.

Jiang Taichu received another six Five-Mystery Vitality Pills. Yang Xuanzhi was beaming. "I'll reward you with another four thousand credits—I'll transfer it to your account later. That's my personal reward."

Two pieces of Gengjin ore this size and one Earth Vein Origin Stone in a month—not only did this boost his performance, it increased his standing in the company. Perhaps in the future, he'd be transferred to manage resources on even richer planets.

Yang Xuanzhi left, grinning from ear to ear.

The others reined in their complicated feelings and began eating, but the food tasted like wax in their mouths.

Tang Yu and Zhang Jing, though also envious, were genuinely happy for him. "You should save up and buy your own mecha. Your luck is unbelievable."

With luck like this, he ought to go independent!

Jiang Taichu just smiled, saying nothing more.

To work solo, one needed strength. Without it, even if you had money to collect resources from major companies, they'd restrict your range—there was no way they'd let you take all the profits.

"Jiang Taichu, you found that Gengjin ore in Lu Fang's area, didn't you?" a burly, bronze-skinned man asked. "I saw you heading that way."

Hearing this, Lu Fang's eyes reddened, greed flickering within.

"Why do you care where Taichu found it?" Tang Yu shot back.

Lu Fang ignored her, his eyes wild. "Jiang Taichu, since you found it in my sector, you should split it with me."

"To hell with that," Jiang Taichu retorted, jabbing a finger at him. "Who was it who said, 'finders keepers, regardless of area'? What, now you want to break your own rules?"

He'd generously let them search his area—did they take him for a pushover?

If, at the time, Lu Fang had insisted on sharing any finds, Jiang Taichu would have split with him. But now? Not a chance!

"I... I..." Lu Fang's face flushed, but then he played the rogue. "I don't care. If you found it in my zone, I get a share."

"Go ask Supervisor Yang if you get a share," Jiang Taichu replied coldly.

Tang Yu and Zhang Jing stood up, their voices icy. "You were the one who said 'no matter the area.' Now you want to play the scoundrel?"

"What, you want to gang up on me?" Lu Fang’s face twisted, his tone both fierce and cowardly. "Just a few new kids, how long have you even been here?"

At his words, three others stood, gathering behind Lu Fang.

Jiang Taichu smiled faintly, pulling the other two with him. "Forget it. Let’s not stoop to their level. If I don’t give it to him, what can he do? If he dares lay a finger on me..."

Lu Fang and his group looked uncertain—they truly didn't dare act.

Earth Star No. 10, Blue Star, and all its subsidiary worlds were under the watchful eye of Heaven's Law. Unless one could block its perception, if they dared attack, Jiang Taichu could simply fall to the ground and claim permanent disability.

"Yeah, just try touching us," Zhang Jing laughed.

Tang Yu grinned slyly, "Go ahead—I love seeing you so angry but too scared to hit me."

Lu Fang’s face turned green, veins bulging on his companions' foreheads.

"Enough. Let’s stick to the rules," Tao Zhong, who'd been silent all this time, finally spoke.

Others chimed in as well. "Enough—what’s the use arguing with a few youngsters?"

Lu Fang snorted, taking the opportunity to step back. "Fine—only for your sake, gentlemen."

The three friends snorted in unison, saying nothing more.